That’s it. A year’s worth of Briefs.

I didn’t think I would stick to it and see the year through and I had absolutely no idea it would be so rewarding or that I would learn so much myself.

The idea behind The Briefs — and the lengthy stories and anecdotes — was to highlight the principles that I believe are essential for effective and engaging communication — often in presentation format, as presentation coaching is what I specialise in.

The main, overarching principle is that of authenticity and, I wrote about issues relating to authenticity in the February, March, June and September briefs.

One of the chief motivations for undertaking this project was to project my own authenticity to you all and to be able show how important it is to be open about yourself and the thought processes behind your work.

The June Brief addressed the role of authenticity in communication in the form of ‘small talk’. Small talk may seem ‘small’ but in effect it is ‘big’ — it is often the window into our mind through which another can catch a glimpse: our feelings about the weather, the state of the economy, how beautiful that tree is, whether you prefer cats or dogs — this is where the first authentic emotional connections are made between people.

People are genuinely interested in what goes on behind that professional facade you project and showing your authentic self not only
engages people but also endears them to you.

The April and May briefs championed simplicity: with the April Brief focusing on reducing what we want to say or show to the absolute bare essentials that we need to get the message across and the May Brief continuing this theme but shifting the focus from what we want to say
to saying what the audience needs to hear; all the while keeping the message as simple as possible.

January, July and August all dealt with the power of awe — which gives your communications intense, powerful, and/or impressive qualities.

The January Brief discussed awe in the choice of words we make and with the notion that by choosing our words carefully we can make them ‘resonate’ causing our ideas and what we say to remain in the minds of our audience, long after we have finished speaking.

The July Brief focused on the idea of awe in the sense of feeling we have when we witness something far beyond our expectations or usual points of reference. And, whilst it is somewhat idealistic to apply this principle to our everyday communication, as an objective for the outcome of our communications, it is without doubt well worth aiming for.

The August Brief carried the above idea further by explaining that if we can imbue and convey enough awe into and through what we say or how we say it we can disrupt the workings of the Default Mode Network in our audience and engage them firmly in the present or the ‘now’ — which in effect means we have their full attention. And what public speaker doesn’t crave the audiences’ full attention?

Finally, both the October and November briefs dealt with the issue of story-telling as means to create a strong emotional bond with the audience and as a method of transforming the seemingly ordinary or commonplace into something of far greater significance. The October Brief showed how story can add significance and magic to something thus creating the desire in people to be a part of that narrative.

The November Brief illustrated how stories can transform something commonplace into something of far greater significance —  creating the desire to experience that thing and/or direct renewed appreciation towards it.

And finally, The December Brief. Well this is it — full circle and back to authenticity (see ‘Musings’ below).

The culmination of putting myself well outside my comfort zone — sharing far more about myself than I ever thought possible. Establishing a process out of nothing, trusting that process and sticking to my plans to deliver. And learning along the way (because we are always learning aren’t we?) that the keys to great communication are:

Authenticity, Simplicity, Awe and Story.

The Brief will be back early next year. I need a little time away from it to review the format and style and to decide whether to keep it like this or make changes. Creating space to stand back and observe is always a good thing.

Until then and with the Christmas season almost upon us, here’s the man who made the greatest Christmas music ever (with more than little help from J S Bach), without ever making a Christmas album.

Ladies and gentlemen — Monsieur Jacques Loussier 🎉

Firstly, for authenticity’s sake, the back story.

When I returned to England from Kenya, East Africa I must have been around eight years old. I had been born in England (during one of the worst snow-storms on record) but had no memories of the place. My only memories had formed in Kenya: citrus trees in the garden, equatorial warmth and heat, tropical rains, lush green mountains haunted by spirits, monkeys and snakes, always lots of snakes.

After four years away my mother and I sailed back to England, landed in Southampton and from there took a train north to the ancient Pennine Mountains of West Yorkshire. It was December and our new house (which was actually a very old, almost derelict farmhouse) was around a mile down a very steep mountain road. The road was covered with snow and impassable; in fact it was snowing heavily.

Because of the snow we had to walk to the house carrying all our luggage. The taxi driver, a kind soul, was so sorry for us that he came with us to help carry the bags. I was wearing my ‘Kenya’ clothes — sandals, white socks, shorts and a t shirt.

It felt like this was the first snow and real cold I had ever experienced but, of course, it wasn’t.

It is safe to say that on first impressions that eight year old me absolutely hated England. I hated the dark, frigid dampness of it all. The freezing bed clothes at night that never seems to warm up. The long and horrible shadows a full moon would cast around my bedroom — shadows that if I looked long enough appeared to take the shape of monsters which started to move before my eyes. The short, grey, sunless days that were as cold as the long black moonlit nights.

I hated it all — that is until Christmas came around.

We had had Christmases in Kenya but somehow a decorated tree didn’t quite work in tropical heat and bright sunlight. But now in the gloomy depths of winter a living tree with it’s pine smells, decorations and sparkling lights made all the more sensuous by a crackling log fire seemed so magical.

Perhaps Christmas saved me. Helped me to get through each passing year that was another year further away from my beloved Kenya.

I grew to love Christmas and I still do.

Christian or not growing up in a country that celebrates Christmas is a special privilege — there is simply no feeling like it anywhere else nor at any other time of the year.

As Christmas approaches I want to share what for me was and is my soundtrack to the season.

A record an eight or nine year-old found in his father’s collection
(he was a huge jazz fan); a record that for me fit the feeling of Christmas so perfectly.

These recordings will always take me back to the tree, the fire, the cold, the darkness and shadows and the occasional, long anticipated covering of snow on Christmas morning.

Truth be told, despite the magical beauty of Christmas, my heart never really settled in England. I always had the feeling there was another place I belonged.

And so, as I write of Christmas and gaze out over a glistening Pacific Ocean morning far, far away from that northern English darkness I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jacques Loussier and Trio play Bach’s ‘Wachtet auf und ruft uns die Stimme’ otherwise known as ‘Sleepers Awake’.

Click image for full album on iTunes

Nicholas Raistrick | Communication Strategist, LABtokyo

Nicholas founded LABtokyo 10 years ago with the express commitment to helping people communicate to their highest potential.

We work with private individuals and corporate groups by delivering training and coaching programmes specifically designed to enhance all facets of interpersonal communication.

To see previous Briefs or ones you may have missed, click The Brief

If you are interested in learning more please write to us here or check our website at labtokyo.com.

We are always more than happy to hear from you.